Nutrition
Managing Starvation and Neglect Cases
Basic Information 
Overview and Goal(s)
• The role of the veterinarian is to provide medical services to the neglected horse(s) and to maintain a lead role in the educational needs, report cases to regulatory authorities, and provide expertise in the legal proceedings.
• Starvation of horse(s) may be due to a variety of factors including economic hardship, ignorance, apathy, illness or injury, and possibly other crimes such as domestic violence.
• Prolonged severe weather conditions (eg, drought, floods, heavy snow) may precipitate conditions of starvation and neglect.
• Seasonal changes in pasture and/or overgrazing may limit the nutritional capacity.
• Pathologic conditions such as cancer, insulin resistance, infections, or diseases of the liver, kidney, pancreas, or heart can elicit symptoms associated with emaciation.
• Salmonellosis and other bacterial infections may occur due to the compromised immune system and starvation.
• Conditions such as lactation, pregnancy, or old age may increase dietary requirements.
• Neglect is the failure to provide proper feed, water and shelter; may include failure to provide veterinary care to a horse that is ill or injured.
• Starvation is the severe or lack of nutrient intake over a prolonged period of time.
• Malnutrition is the lack or unbalanced intake of nutrient(s) (eg, protein, vitamins) or the compromised utilization of available nutrients.
• Emaciation refers to loss of body condition, becoming extremely thin in appearance.
• Abuse and cruelty includes the intentional act, omission, or neglect whereby unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering is caused or permitted. Examples include poking with a sharp stick or excessively beating, intentionally scaring, or poisoning a horse.
Indications
Animal control officers, public reports, or owners may observe the following:
• Lack of feed, water, or shelter
• General lethargy and weakness
• Lack of veterinary care to ill or injured horses
• Health of each horse should be evaluated using these guidelines:
Physical examination of each horse should be performed. The symptoms of the starved horse over time include:
Behavioral changes with a depressed reactivity to external stimuli occurs usually 3 to 4 days to a week after the severe restriction of feed (Kronfeld, 1993).
Immune compromise occurs 3 to 4 days after total feed deprivation, with a decrease in circulating lymphocyte count and a compromise in phagocytic response (Naylor and Kenyon, 1981).
• Causes of starvation: Multifactorial including (Kronfeld, 1993):
Lack of quantity and quality of feed, especially the nutrient content and balance of energy and protein. Deficiencies or excesses of certain minerals and vitamins over the long-term can contribute to malnutrition and/or emaciation.
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